'My contract sucks,' Luongo says

A $64-million contract can buy a player a lot of things, but playing time isn't one of them.

Neither is happiness.

Roberto Luongo is lacking both, something he detailed in an awkwardly human, emotionally raw news conference that he handled like he's handled everything else this year - beautifully.

In a few days, the humiliation of feeling unwanted will fade. In a few months, he will be traded - we think - and all of this will be a bitter memory, one he will use to fuel the next chapter of his career.

There was something wrong about seeing Luongo Wednesday at the podium, humbled and forced to explain what it felt like not to be traded. It couldn't have been easy explaining that no one really wanted him.

His honesty was exhilarating, however, especially when he declared he'd annul his contract if the CBA allowed for it.

"I'd scrap it if I could right now." Despite all the millions he's made, and will make, to hear him describe his 12-year, $64-million deal as an anchor provided a keyhole into his heart and soul. He wants to play, desperately so, and who among us who has ever played a sport at any level can't relate with that?

It was hard not to feel some sympathy for Lu, especially when he admitted his pride was dented because the bidding war he expected in the offseason never materialized. Not then, and not on Wednesday before the noon deadline.

It leaves a situation no one wanted, or thought possible, a year ago. Luongo will be a Canuck for the rest of the season.

Of course, things could have been different.

Maybe if he was less loyal, and more of a malcontent he'd have what he craves. Maybe if was more about himself and less about the team, he'd be a clear-cut starter again. I'm not disappointed in the way I handled the situation," Luongo said. "I tried to handle it the right way and not create any negative energy around the team.

"I don't regret the way I handled things."

The Canucks put on a big push to move him in the final hour, making several calls to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But every time they called, the Leafs changed what they were willing to give up for him. One time it was nothing but a prospect. On the next call, it was only a player. Then it was just draft picks. In the end, the Canucks asked for backup goalie Ben Scrivens and two second-round draft picks. Toronto still said no. That offer leaked out hours later.

As if Luongo's pride hasn't taken enough of a hit.

It leaves you wondering how serious the Leafs were, and if a lot of their alleged interest in Luongo was really a put on or a long con.

If it was, and they were sure to always keep the dialogue going, that's quite the emotional mudslide they dragged Luongo through.

"It has been an emotional ride the last year," he said.

"I think it is more the unknown that has gotten to me more than anything else. I'm human, and sometimes it gets to you."

Both Luongo and GM Mike Gillis held news conferences when it was over, making Wednesday possibly the first time ever there were duelling pressers in Rogers Arena to explain why a player wasn't traded.

Something in them felt a little cheap when it turned into 'he said, he said' territory over the issue of Luongo's no-trade clause.

Luongo said he was never presented with a trade. But Gillis said they did have discussions about whether he'd be willing to waive his NTC, suggesting it was actually a bigger issue than his contract.

"I've never been told there was a stumbling block (with his contract)," Gillis said. "The discussions we've had didn't surround a stumbling block, they surrounded players, draft picks, places where he might go. Those were bigger hurdles than discussions about his contract."

Really, they were both right. At the draft, talks between the Canucks and the Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets were moving past toddler stage, and Vancouver wanted to know if Luon-go would be willing to waive.

At the time, he still believed Florida was going to come hard for him, and said no. It essentially ended talks at the draft with any team but the Panthers.

Months later, when the Florida push never materialized, Luongo was open to places like Toronto. But even then Toronto and Vancouver could never consummate a deal.

It may never have been possible. "Obviously, in the last couple of weeks things have been emotionally tough for me as far as where I'm going," Luongo said. "But now I can really make sure I'm focusing on the right thing."

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